Former Washington Governor John Spellman Dies At Age 91
John Spellman, a former Washington governor and the first King County executive, has died. He was 91.
Spellman was elected as governor in 1980 and served one term. He’s the last Republican to hold the state’s top office.
Condolences have flooded in from Republicans and Democrats around the state. Former Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott ran against Spellman in 1980 and worked with him in the state legislature. He says Spellman was tough but fair and would compromise for the good of the people of Washington.
“We miss people like John and it’s good to be reminded when they pass that there was a better era when we could get things done in this country because Republicans and Democrats could work together,” McDermott said.
In part, Spellman is remembered for bringing the Mariners and the Seahawks to Seattle. During his tenure as King County executive, he championed construction of their original home stadium, the Kingdome.
He’s also remembered for his opposition to a pipeline that would have transported oil from Alaska.
In a statement, Washington Governor Jay Inslee said Spellman laid the groundwork for the ongoing effort to protect Puget Sound from oil spills.
Related Stories:
How Washington is preventing and detecting voter fraud
Ballot drop boxes at Washington State University (Credit: Phineas Pope / NWPB) Listen (Runtime 3:16) Read “Voter fraud” might be the first thing you think when someone mentions election security.
A look at one of the Northwest’s only Day of the Dead parades
Dancers in Walla Walla’s second annual Day of the Dead parade. (Credit: Susan Shain / NWPB) Listen (Runtime 1:06) Read While many cities in the Northwest celebrate Day of the
Possible strike looms as nurses at St. Joseph in Tacoma seek better staffing, safety
After their contract ended on Halloween, nurses at Tacoma’s St. Joseph Medical Center spent a rainy Friday morning picketing outside the hospital.
The nurses’ union, Washington State Nurses Association or WSNA, has been negotiating with hospital management since August. But Pamela Chandran, director of legal affairs for the union, said there are sticking points.